Privacy and storage
Short answer: Your drawings, settings and AI keys are stored in your browser on this device. MolDraw sends data to a server only for features that need one. Examples are PubChem search, name lookup, AI chat, sign in and Community.
What stays in your browser#
| Data | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drawings in My designs | Browser storage on this device | Separate for each browser and site address. Not synced. |
| Open tabs | Browser storage | Restored when you reload |
| Settings | Browser storage | See Settings reference |
| AI API keys and chat history | Browser storage | Keys are never sent to MolDraw |
.moldraw files you save |
Your computer | Under your control |
Drawing, cleanup, analysis and export run in your browser. Your structure stays on your device for these.
Warning
Clearing site data, using another browser or a private window can remove designs. Download a .moldraw file, or use Download all in My designs, for anything important.
What is sent to a server#
| Feature | What is sent | Sent to |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem search | The name, CAS number or text you type | PubChem |
| IUPAC name in Info | The SMILES of the selected structure | PubChem |
| AI chat | Your messages and the structure details the chat needs | The provider you picked: Gemini, Claude, OpenAI or DeepSeek |
| Plugins that fetch data | The structure or ID you look up | The plugin's data source, such as ChEMBL or the PDB |
| Sign in | Email and password, or your Google sign in | MolDraw account service |
| Account profile | Email, name, designation and avatar choice | MolDraw account service |
| Community | Posts, replies, votes and uploaded images | MolDraw, shown in public |
| Request feature | Your email, title, text and images | MolDraw team |
| Help chat | What you type in the support chat | MolDraw support |
AI requests go straight from your browser to the provider with your own key. The provider's own privacy terms apply to that chat.
If you use Continue with Google, Google shares your name, email and profile picture address with MolDraw. MolDraw does not get access to your Gmail, Drive or contacts.
MolDraw also uses analytics for basic technical and usage data, such as browser and device type. The Privacy Policy lists every service.
Cloud and accounts#
An account does not move your designs to the cloud today. Designs stay in this browser, signed in or not. Cloud designs are not open to all accounts yet.
The desktop app#
The Windows app keeps designs and settings on your PC. They stay when you uninstall the app. Online features send the same data as the web editor.
Delete your data#
- Designs: delete cards in My designs, or clear site data for moldraw.com in your browser.
- AI keys: open Settings, AI and click Clear next to a key.
- Account and Community data: open Dashboard, Profile, Delete account. This removes your sign in, profile, posts, comments, votes and feature requests. See Sign in and accounts.
Tips#
- Do not post unpublished structures or private data in Community. Posts are public.
- For confidential work, avoid PubChem search and AI chat for that structure. Draw it by hand and keep it on your device.
Questions and answers
Does MolDraw upload my chemical structures?
No, not for drawing, analysis or export. A structure leaves your device only when you use PubChem name lookup, AI chat or an online plugin.
Where does MolDraw store my API key?
In your browser on this device. AI requests go straight from your browser to the provider you picked.
Are my MolDraw designs saved in the cloud?
Not today. Designs are saved in your browser, even when you are signed in. Download a .moldraw file as a backup.
Is MolDraw safe for unpublished research?
Drawing and export stay on your device. Avoid PubChem lookup, AI chat and Community posts for structures you must keep private.
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